Real Madrid and Barcelona renew their rivalry in their next league match but neither side looks particularly ready for the match. Both sides marked their return from the international break with a win but that doesn’t even begin to tell the full story as Barca won 2-1 but could and should have lost to bottom of the table Girona and Madrid were only lucky to scrape a 1-0 win against a Getafe side that ended with 9 men. It is not a Clásico that feels like a title decider, it feels like a stress test for two squads still trying to find balance and creative solutions to their current issues.
Madrid’s most recent performance was a shaky one, a 1-0 win over Getafe that told two stories at once. It looks like another hard-fought victory but it was really just 80 minutes of frustration capped by a moment of brilliance from the familiar Mbappe and Guler link-up, a goal that came after Getafe had gone down to 10 men(before getting another red to go down to 9) and still managed to come within inches of equalizing. Madrid dominated but after the goal came a huge sense of relief, because Madrid’s buildup looked slow, their decision-making rushed in the final third, and their control from midfield inconsistent. Even though they had 23 shots, few were of real quality. There was energy, there was possession, but there was no incision, the kind of issue that would usually be punished in a Clasico.
In Dean Huijsen’s absence, Madrid’s build-up was clunky. They also struggled to move the ball around quickly enough to actually threaten. The numbers told a story of 23 shots and 77% possession but the eye test told another. Madrid rarely threatened David Soria in Getafe’s goal. Their best moments came in transition, not through structured buildup. That might work against weaker sides, but against a Barcelona side that loves to control tempo, it could become a serious problem if Huijsen isn’t fit in time for the match. Madrid’s midfield three of Tchouaméni, Camavinga, and Bellingham also didn’t work to the best of their abilities. They lacked someone like Arda Guler who could play that penetrative pass.
Franco Mastantuono also had a very underwhelming match. The Argentine looked out of sorts, slipping often, losing possession, and failing to connect with Mbappe. Rodrygo was also not himself, failing to create any real danger for the Getafe defense. Even Kylian Mbappe had one of his quieter nights, looking isolated until Güler came on. With Vinícius also rested and Rodrygo starting, Madrid missed something fundamental, his chaos and relentlessness. Vinícius brings unpredictability, draws fouls, and bends defenses with his pace and directness. His introduction changed everything, forcing both red cards to Allan Nyom and Alex Sancris.
If Madrid’s win was frustrating, Barcelona’s was simply lucky. The 2-1 scoreline against bottom-placed Girona looks normal on paper. The reality was anything but. Girona could and should have been 5–1 up by halftime. Throughout the match, Barcelona’s defense looked disjointed, their press poorly timed, and their midfield offered little cover. Girona tore through Barcelona’s increasingly vulnerable high line repeatedly, found space with ease but missed one chance after another. For large spells of the first half, Barcelona looked vulnerable and flat. They took the lead in the 13th minute after a spell of absolute dominance, Pedri scoring with an intelligent finish after dancing past the Girona defense when Lamine found him in the box but the control vanished almost immediately after and 7 minutes later, Girona equalized through a stunning Axel Witsel bicycle kick. Pedri uncharacteristically lost the ball to gift Vladyslav Vanat a huge chance but it was squandered and so were multiple other chances by Witsel, Bryan Gil and Christian Portu. Rashford also hit the post with a free in the first half and the match moved from one end to the other in the second half before Barca finally managed to get the winner through a great finish from an unlikely source in Ronald Araujo who had effectively been playing as a center forward. Lamine Yamal didn’t have one of his better games as well, shooting 6 times with only 1 on target and having 0 accurate crosses from 8 attempts.
Barcelona’s long injury remains a concern with Lewandowski, Ferran Torres, Raphinha, Dani Olmo, and even Joan García still out. It is unsure who amongst these will be fit in time for the clasico and the lack of attacking options forced Flick to start Toni Fernandez who actually looked lively in the match alongside Marcus Rashford and Lamine Yamal. Flick meanwhile will not be on the touchline for the Clasico after his red card. Madrid have a few injuries of their own with Huijsen, Carvajal and Trent all doubts for the clasico but perhaps more worrying is their big game curse that has carried on this season, it remains to be seen if they can end their dry spell against the tougher opponents in the clasico.
Both teams are walking into this Clásico out of rhythm. Madrid look powerful but predictable. Barcelona look technical but tired and out of sorts. Neither side is at full strength, and both are carrying questions they have not answered so far this season. The added layer of midweek Champions League pressure makes things a little more difficult. Madrid face Juventus, a side that will test their defensive capabilities and Barcelona face Olympiacos, a game they should of course win but cannot afford to rotate too heavily for. It all leaves both clubs stretched physically and mentally right before the biggest domestic fixture of the season.
